Bank of Canada Makes Quarter-Point Rate Cut, but Next Move May Depend on Tariffs

Policymakers raised concerns over the impact of potential cross-border tariffs, anemic business investment and weak labor market.

Vikram Barhat 29 January, 2025 | 3:53PM
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Collage illustration of the Bank of Canada with background shapes and icons

In a widely anticipated move to support economic growth, the Bank of Canada kicked off 2025 with a 25-basis-point interest rate cut.

The central bank’s decision brings the overnight interest rate to 3% from its peak of 5% in 2024. The rate is just below the upper end of its neutral range of 2.25%-3.25%, where it neither suppresses nor spurs economic growth.

However, the outlook for additional interest rate cuts is uncertain. Future monetary policy moves “are subject to more-than-usual uncertainty because of the rapidly evolving policy landscape, particularly the threat of trade tariffs by the new administration in the United States,” says the Bank’s January 2025 Monetary Policy Report.

Six Straight Rate Cuts

This is the sixth consecutive rate cut since the central bank began unwinding its monetary policy in June 2024. However, after implementing two supersized cuts toward the end of last year, the Bank has reverted to a more measured 25-point reduction. While further cuts are expected, analysts expect the pace of easing will likely be much more gradual in 2025.

The Canadian dollar edged slightly higher, from C$1.4450 against the US dollar to C$1.4437, following the announcement.


The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar's editorial policies.

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About Author

Vikram Barhat

Vikram Barhat  is a Toronto-based financial writer specializing in investing, stock markets, personal finance and other areas of the financial services industry, Vikram also writes for CNBC, BBC, The Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star.

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